Wearing a mask in public is the new norm. Gone were the days when a red lipstick is all you need to look from 0 to 100. With your lips covered, your lip colour can no longer play the main role when you have your mask on. Your next best option? Your eyes.
Bring attention to your peepers with these work-appropriate eye makeup look that can make you look 10/10 without being overly dramatic.
Give your everyday look a lift by using gold instead of the usual neutral shades like light brown. Not only is it flattering on Asian skin because of its yellow undertones, its glimmer makes eyes pop and has a light, airy effect. Go for a gold eyeshadow with subtle shimmer, not party-time glitter. “Create depth by applying a bronze eyeshadow, then layer the gold on top. Or add dimension to the eyes by using pale gold eyeshadow on the inner corners,” Yeo says. To complete the look, keep your lips light and glossy.
Face
Future Skin Foundation
Eyes
Luminescent Eye Shades in Golden Copper, Warm Champagne and Burnish Brown
Luster Glide Silk Infused Eye Liner in Jasper
Lips
Matte Chic in Suzy
All makeup from Chantecaille
Outfit
Wool coat, Dolce&Gabbana
Rose gold Chain D’Ancre earrings, Hermes
An all-brown palette on eyes, cheeks and lips can look extremely classy. Yeo says: “Play with different intensities by using a dark-hued brown on just one feature, and lighter shades elsewhere.” For instance, stick to pale browns for the eyes and cheeks, then complete the look for a dinner date with a slick of deep chocolatey lipstick
Face
Teint Idole Ultra Wear Foundation
Eyes
Hypnose 5-Color Eyeshadow Palette
Hypnose Doll Eyes Waterproof Mascara
Lips
L’Absolu Rouge Ruby Cream in Coeur De Ruby and Pigeon Blood Ruby
All makeup from Lancome
Outfit
Wool blazer, Givenchy
Filet D’Or rose gold ring, and Bague Kelly Double Tour rose gold and black diamond ring, Hermes
Done right, red eye makeup is striking and sophisticated. Yeo says: “To avoid looking swollen- eyed, don’t use it as a flat colour over the entire lid. Instead, apply a light wash on the outer corner of the lids, blending to a soft pink in the middle. Add a light champagne shimmer on the inner corners to brighten.” Mascara is a must, and for more definition, use brown or black eyeliner. If you want to complete the look with lipstick, go for a strong red, but skip the blusher.
Face
Le Blanc Brightening Gentle Touch Foundation
Eyes
Les 4 Ombres in Candeur et Seduction
Le Volume De Chanel Mascara
Lips
Rouge Allure Velvet Extreme in Extreme
Le Crayon Levres Precision Lip Definer in Seduction
All makeup from Chanel
Outfit
Silk jacket, and Coco Crush white gold rings, Chanel
For a different approach to the usual black-lined cat eye, go tone- on-tone with a coloured eyeliner and eyeshadow. Choose darker colours like ash blue or olive green – they’re more apt for the office than hues like electric blue or turquoise. “Keep eyeshadow within the socket, don’t go above the crease line or it can look too smoky; then use a darker shade of eyeliner to draw your cat eye,” says makeup artist Melissa Yeo, who did all the looks here. If you want to wear lipstick, keep the colour neutral, and apply a light wash of blusher to warm up the skin
On the model
Face
Sulwhasoo Perfecting Cushion EX
Eyes
Dior 5 Couleurs Couture in Denim
Diorshow 24H Stylo Intense Waterproof Eyeliner in Matte Blue
Clinique Lash Power Mascara Long-wear Formula
Lips
Sulwhasoo Essential Lip Serum Stick in Blossom
Outfit
Silk-blend bar jacket, Dior
The mellow, warm- toned green lets you introduce some colour to your get- up while staying office-appropriate. It’s also a highly wearable hue for most Asian skin tones. To prevent the whole look from appearing dull, pair khaki on the eyes with a light or natural lip colour like coral and peach, says Yeo.
Face
Double Wear Stay-In-Place Makeup
Eyes
Pure Color Envy Defining Eyeshadow in Jaded Moss and Brash Bronze
Sumptuous Rebel Length + Lift Mascara
Doublewear Stay-In-Place Eye Pencil in Coffee
Lips
Pure Color Envy Kissable Lip Shine
All makeup from Estee Lauder
Outfit
Silk blouse, Celine
PHOTOGRAPHY
VERONICA TAY
STYLING
DEBBY KWONG
MAKEUP
MELISSA YEO
HAIR
GREG O USING SHISEIDO PROFESSIONAL, KEUNE AND PERCY & REED
MODEL
CASSY S/AVE
This article first appeared in Her World September 2020 issue.
